Boat propelling mechanism



y12,1942. M. MARCUM Em 2,282,368

' BOAT PROPELLING MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l- In verztor;

A [tori/q y 2, 19 2. M. MARCUM Em. 2,282 368 BOAT PROPELLING MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 2 Inventor:

An on/e Patented May 12, 1942 EGAT PROPEL-LING MECHANISM Melvin Marcum and Richard Vance, Breeden,

W. Va., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-sixth to J. Floyd Harrison, and one-sixth to J. T. Lambert, both of Wayne,

W. Va.

Application July 24, 1941, Serial No. 403,924

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in boat propulsion and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a mechanism comprising a novel construction, combination and arrangement for pushing, pulling and steering a hull in the water.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a boat propelling mechanism of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use and which may be produced at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a boat which is provided with a propelling mechanism constructed. in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a View in rear elevation of one of the propellers.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through one of the propellers.

Figure 5 is a detail view in side elevation with a portion broken away in section, illustrating the connection between one of the reciprocating rods and its crosshead.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that reference numeral I designates generally a hull of suitable construction. Mounted on the stern of the hull I is a plurality of pusher propellers which are designated generally by reference numeral 2. Operable forwardly of the bow of the hull I is a plurality of tractor or puller propellers 3. Extending diagonally and rearwardly from an intermediate portion of the hull I is a pair of steering propellers 4. Mounted in the hull I is an engine housing 5. The housing 5 encloses a single engine for the rear propellers 2, a pair of engines for the front propellers 3 and an engine for each of the steering propellers 4-.

Mounted in the rear portion of the hull I are guides ii in the form of longitudinal partitions which are shown to advantage in Figure 2 of the drawings. Operable in the guides 6 is a crosshead 'I which is connected by a rod 8 to an engine in the housing 5. Journaled in the guides 6 and. in the sides of the hull I is a crank shaft 9. A pitman III connects the crank shaft 9 to the crosshead 1 for actuation thereby.

Longitudinal guides II are provided in the stern portion of the hull I outwardly of the guides t. Crossheads I2 are slidable between the guides 6 and the adjacent guides II. Pitmans I3 operatively connect the crossheads I2 to the crank shaft 9 for actuation thereby. Threadedly connected to the crossheads I2 are reciprocating rods I4 which extend slidably through the stern I5 of the hull I.

As best seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the propellers 2 comprise longitudinally elongated hubs I6 of suitable material which are mounted on the rear end portions of the rods M. At an intermediate point, the hubs I6 have formed therein chambers IT. The hubs I6 are of hexagonal cross-section, and said hubs are further provided with longitudinal grooves or channels I8 which extend rearwardly from the chambers I'I.

Mounted for swinging movement on the hubs Iii are blades I9. The blades I9 include shanks 20 which are pivotally secured in the chambers IT. The grooves I8 accommodate coil springs 2| having one end secured at 22 to the rear ends of the hubs I6. The other end portions of the coil springs 2| extend into the chambers I! of the hubs I6. The coil springs 2I cushion the blades I9 when they swing toclosed position on the forward movement or stroke of the propellers 2. Resilient bumpers 23 on the forward end portions of the hubs I6 cushion the blades I9 when they swing to open position on the rearward or power stroke of the propellers 2. Coil springs 24 are connected to the blades I 9 for assisting in opening said blades.

It is though that the operation of the propellers 2 will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the propellers 2 are forced rearwardly on their power stroke the blades I9 are caused to swing to open position by the water thereby pushing the boat forwardly. On the forward or return stroke of the propellers 2 the blades I9 are swung to closed position by the Water thereby reducing resistance to a minimum. The steering propellers 4 are substantially similar in construction and operation to the stern or pusher propellers 2. When it is desired to turn to the left, the propeller 4 on the right hand side of the boat is actuated. When a right hand turn is to be made, the propeller 4 on the left hand side of the boat is actuated. The operation of the bow propellers 3 is substantially similar to the stern propellers 2 with the exception that the construction and arrangement is such that the blades open when said propellers move rearwardly for pulling the boat through the water and close when said propellers 3 move forwardly for reducing resistance. It is believed that the many advantages of a boat propelling mechanism constructed in ac:

cordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred em bodiment of the apparatus is as illustrated and. described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A boat propelling mechanism of the character described comprising a reciprocating rod, means for actuating said rod, and a propeller mounted on the rod, said propeller including a longitudinally elongated hub secured to the rod and having longitudinal grooves therein, blades pivotally mounted on the hub for opening and closing movement, coil springs mounted on the hub and engaged in the grooves for cushioning the blades upon closing movement thereof, and resilient bumpers mounted on the hub for cushioning the blades upon opening movement of said blades.

MELVIN MARC'UM. RICHARD VANCE. 

